3G
Of course something designed to be a smartphone on steroids wouldn't be much good without 3G connectivity, so NVIDIA has collaborated with ST-Ericsson on this.
"ST-Ericsson together with NVIDIA have developed a Microsoft Windows Embedded CE implementation using the ST-Ericsson U335 and the NVIDIA Tegra which is ready for customer design development," said Jorgen Lantto, CTO at ST-Ericsson.
Original design manufacturer ICD has said it will be making devices based on this platform, but hasn't revealed when we can expect to see them. "ICD has long believed that there will be a new generation of innovative connected devices. Designing these devices around the Tegra platform will bring carriers an amazing level of functionality at prices as low as $99," said David Hayes, president and CEO of ICD.
While NVIDIA seems happy enough to embrace Intel form factors, this bonhomie doesn't extend to operating systems. In another press release NVIDIA announced support for Google's Android smartphone operating system. Intel seems to be hoping OEMs will use the Moblin OS when they build MIDs/smartphones based on its Moorestown platform.
Both semiconductor giants seem to be sidelining poor old Microsoft and its Windows Mobile OS, notwithstanding the mention of Windows CE in this announcement. Still, at least HP still loves it.
What do you think about the MID form factor? Will it eventually replace smartphones and/or netbooks or is it the worst of both worlds? Let us know in the HEXUS.community.
